Guess who forgot to post her blog last night?
That’s right: me.
My excuse? I was caught up in prepping my manuscript so that I could push SEND and well, um, send it to my editor — all 87k+ words of it.
I woke up this morning. Smiled at the thought of being done … and then thought, “Uh-oh. I didn’t post a blog.”
Oh well. I’ll file this under one of my “better late than never” efforts.
So, as I’ve finished my manuscript, I’m curious: How would you complete this sentence:
To get what I want (______), I had to give up _________ to get it.
I’ll go first: To get what I want (a completed manuscript), I had to give up time with family and friends to get it.
In Your Words: I’d love to know what you want (blank #1) and what you had to give up (blank #2) to get it!)
I’m celebrating the release of Catch a Falling Star with a Facebook Party on June 4 & a giveaway! I hope you join me and enter the contest!
Comments 25
YAY, congrats on meeting the deadline. That has to be SUCH a good feeling, Beth. Happy for you. Here’s what I’ve wanted recently and what I had to give up…
To make major progress on my book due July 1, I had to give up a week of pay last week. 🙂 Took an unpaid leave from my day job. So needed, though…totally worth the mullah.
Author
I am eager to read book #1 — and already excited about book #2!!
I was thinking about just this subject, fifteen minutes ago.
The one thing that I wanted to do, above all else, was fly, for as long as I can remember. Or so I thought.
As I write this there are twenty dogs, sleeping quietly in the house. Mostly Pit Bulls. They all had run out of chances. All had been mistreated, some had been shot. And yet, they have retained an eager capacity to love one another, and us. (And there are also four dogs outside, can’t forget them!)
I still fly when I can, but the dream of a life totally immersed in flight was given up to provide shelter to creatures with hearts that are far bigger than mine.
I’d do it again.
Author
Andrew: I so admire your commitment to those abused dogs. They need love and kindness — and you have given it to them in abundance!
Congratulations on completing your new story, Beth. As one of your readers eager to enjoy it, I say thanks. Sure enjoyed Catch a Falling Star. You’re a great storyteller. And your characters? They’re wonderful.
Author
Keli: Sending you a huge hug, friend. Thank you for always encouraging me.
Go, Beth, go!
To bring more balance to my life, I’ve had to go slower on my manuscript than I’d like. But that balance–more time with my honey, time to rest, time for health and fitness–has made me more productive overall.
Author
Lindsay: Such a great perspective. Love it!
Congratulations, Beth. We’re all proud of you! 87,000 words of wonderful!
To meet my goals, whether making home & farm tidy, warm, inviting (not an A grade there) or making the working on a major rewrite a novel wants to see (progress slower than I like while grading end-of-semester college student submissions, too), the general answer is to do w/ less sleep. That usually works to still get work done w/o being too worse for wear. Unless I get cranky–then it’s time to reasses and readjust goals.
Author
Yes! Sometimes we have to reassess and readjust goals — like Lindsay said too — and maybe go slower in the pursuit of our dreams.
Doing the “Go Beth” dance. Not sure what that looks like, but I believe the proper description would be “really awkward”. I’ll stick to clapping.
To get healthy, I have to give up chocolate to get it.
WAAAAAAAAH!!
Author
🙂 To get health, I had to give up gluten, i.e bread.
WAAAAAH!
Congrats! Isn’t that a great feeling?? I’m hoping to get my 100K+ manuscript to my agent by June 1st. To get that done, I had to give up blog hopping. 🙁 I’m at a stage in my life (with four young children) that if I want to pursue my dream to be a published author, I have to give up something–and it can’t be time with my kiddos. I’ve given up television time, having a “clean” house, reading for pleasure (when I’m in the midst of writing a story), a few volunteer activities I love to be involved in, and spending time on other blogs (I still sneak in a few here and there). I’m slowly finding the balance, and recognizing the importance of sacrificing for my three biggest dreams: being a wife, a mom and an author.
Author
A BIG THANK YOU for stopping by and joining the conversation, Gabe! I understand stepping away from social media when the deadline looms …
Love this, and I’m STILL happy dancing for you. 🙂 Although it looks very “white girl.” Sorry. 🙂
To be able to write books/stories, I have had to give up a clean and organized house and most outside-the-family ministry opportunities. I’m also realizing I’m going to need to give up more blog hopping, especially once my littles are home next week.
But it’s worth it. 🙂
Author
A clean house? What is that? 😉
Magnet on my BFF’s fridge “A clean house is the sign that an older, female relative is about to visit.”
ROFL! Love it, Jennifer. When you can write your name in the dust though….Well, I guess that just means it’s time to teach my boys how to dust. Yes? 🙂
Not always, but sometimes, my grandkids love having a “dusting contest” of items in China cabinet, etc., to see who can things most gleaming. Sometimes they ask me if they can do it!
Yes, I know. I gave up hopes of keeping a clean house about a year after I began writing. 🙂 At least I have good hiding places for my piles when I need them. 🙂
YAYAY! So happy you are finished with your book and can’t wait to read it!
To get my writing goal this week, I will have to give up nap time for the next 2 days! (and just about everything else.)
Author
Oh, naps! I can add those back in to my schedule!
YAYAY! So happy you are finished with your book and can’t wait to read it!
To get my writing goal this week, I will have to give up nap time for the next 2 days! (and just about everything else.)
Congrats on finishing another one! I just finished reading your first book and look forward to reading the next and the next . . .and more!
A little late, but I really like this post. 🙂 I’ve never thought of it this way, and I know it’ll help frame my procrastinatiion a little better.
To get what I want (great summer grades and my finished WIP), I need to give up (online tv shows, mostly South Korean and Taiwanese dramas) to get it.
Although I’m still in the plotting stages, I’ve decided to start anyways with a lower, but manageable daily word count. I think my drama addiction can hold off for one month. My resolve is firm! I can do this! 😀
Oh, and congrats on “Catch a Falling Star”, Beth!